Chapter 2271: Ascension Methods

The Tianhai Realm was invaded by the Blood Shadow Tribe. The Profound Green Sect immediately dispatched disciples to the lower realm. The patriarch of the Taiyang Sect also attempted to descend to the lower realm using a clone, aided by a Realm-Transforming Stone, but his attempt failed.

If the Wang family went too far, it was uncertain whether the powerful patrons of the Flood Dragon Clan or the Black Phoenix Clan would descend to the lower realm to confront them.

"I did not use the Wang family's name to deal with them," Xiao MieXian explained. "When I went to the Flood Dragon Clan, I told them the Black Phoenix Clan had falsely accused them of conspiring with the Sea Clan to destroy the Wang family. Then, when I visited the Black Phoenix Clan, I told them the Flood Dragon Clan had falsely accused *them* of conspiring with the Sea Clan to destroy the Wang family. They ended up blaming and resenting each other. I didn't kill anyone; they willingly offered these treasures for me to pass on to you, my master."

Xiao MieXian explained his strategy, which was to sow discord. The Flood Dragon Clan and the Black Phoenix Clan, being two distinct races, naturally had existing animosities. By exacerbating these tensions, he made it difficult for them to unite.

Wang Changsheng's expression softened slightly, acknowledging Xiao MieXian's clever approach. However, since Xiao MieXian had acted independently, Wang Changsheng felt it necessary to admonish him to prevent future disobedience, lest he jeopardize important matters.

Descending to a lower realm as a clone had numerous disadvantages; one could not bring items, nor was it advisable to engage in frequent combat. This was one of the reasons Wang Changsheng had subdued Xiao MieXian.

"Hmph, I ordered you to eliminate the Sea Clan. Did I instruct you to target the Flood Dragon Clan and the Black Phoenix Clan?" Wang Changsheng's voice turned cold.

Xiao MieXian shivered and immediately knelt, pleading earnestly, "I was foolish, Master. Please, in your great wisdom, overlook my transgression this time and spare me."

Wang Changsheng's expression softened, and he ordered, "Very well. Considering this is your first offense, I will overlook it this time. There will be no next time."

Xiao MieXian repeatedly assented, stood up, and a thin layer of sweat beaded on his forehead, clearly terrified.

Wang Changsheng retrieved a green jade slip and handed it to Xiao MieXian, saying, "This cultivation method suits you. While it doesn't cover stages beyond the Void Refinement, it should be sufficient for your needs. With a complete set of techniques, your cultivation speed will improve significantly."

It was the classic "carrot and stick" approach.

Upon hearing this, Xiao MieXian's expression became excited. He took the jade slip with both hands, knelt once more, kowtowed several times to Wang Changsheng, and respectfully declared, "Master, I pledge my life to your service, no matter the command."

"There's no need for you to die. Rise! I have a very important task for you."

Wang Changsheng produced a pale golden jade slip and handed it to Xiao MieXian, instructing, "This contains images of items I need to collect; send people to search for them. Furthermore, make a personal trip to the Northern Frontier to see if you can locate a few specific items. Avoid killing if at all possible; I don't want to clean up your mess."

Xiao MieXian took the jade slip with both hands, scanned it with his divine sense, and nodded in assent. "Yes, I will attend to it immediately."

With that, Xiao MieXian transformed into a golden streak, soaring through the air and vanishing into the distance.

"He is adaptable and resilient, capable of great things," Wang Changsheng praised, watching Xiao MieXian's retreating form. Xiao MieXian knew when to be firm and when to yield; he was truly talented. It was a pity he was a demon. If he had been a human Soul Transformation cultivator, Wang Changsheng might have considered allowing him to join the Wang family.

Wang Zongming's voice drifted in from outside: "Old Ancestor, Senior Chen from the Taiyi Immortal Sect has arrived and is waiting in the reception hall."

"Understood." As Wang Changsheng finished speaking, he dissolved into specks of blue light and vanished.

In the reception hall, Chen Yiming sat on a chair, glancing outside occasionally, his expression betraying a slight nervousness. He had never met Wang Changsheng and was unsure of his temperament.

"Are you unharmed?" A gentle male voice suddenly sounded, and countless blue lights coalesced, rapidly forming Wang Changsheng's figure.

"Junior Chen Yiming greets Senior Wang." Chen Yiming dared not delay, quickly bowing in salute.

"Is the Four Seasons Sword Venerable's soul lamp still lit?" Wang Changsheng went straight to the point, as this was the information he most desired.

Chen Yiming nodded and replied, "Our Grand Patriarch's soul lamp has remained lit, but we have been unable to establish contact."

Wang Changsheng's face showed a pensive expression. The Four Seasons Sword Venerable might be elsewhere in the Xuanyang Realm, or perhaps he had traveled to a parallel dimension of the Xuanyang Realm.

"Senior Wang, do you have a method for me to ascend to the Spirit Realm?" Chen Yiming asked cautiously, his face filled with anticipation.

"There is a way, but to ascend to the Xuanyang Realm, one must at least possess mid-stage Soul Transformation cultivation. Early-stage Soul Transformation is absolutely impossible, and the risks of illicit ascension are far too great," Wang Changsheng truthfully explained. When the artifact spirit had forged the Flying Spirit Disk, his and Wang Ruyan's combined magical power had elevated their aura to the mid-stage Soul Transformation realm, allowing them to ascend to the Xuanyang Realm. This method, however, was not replicable by others. He himself could not forge a Flying Spirit Disk, as the artifact spirit was at least an Integration stage cultivator with exceptionally high-level artifact refining skills.

While at Zhenhai Palace, Wang Changsheng had frequently inquired about the Flying Spirit Platform. Generally, the Flying Spirit Platform could sense the aura of mid-stage Soul Transformation cultivators and guide them to the Xuanyang Realm. However, for certain lower realms that had drifted from their usual trajectory, only the aura of late-stage Soul Transformation cultivators could be detected by the platform.

One could set up formations or refine certain treasures to temporarily boost a cultivator's aura, enabling the Flying Spirit Platform to sense them as a mid-stage Soul Transformation cultivator and facilitate their reception. The artifact spirit had achieved this by refining treasures, which Wang Changsheng couldn't replicate, primarily due to material constraints. Setting up formations, however, was comparatively easier. Bai Yuqi had studied formation scriptures and found several aura-boosting formations, which she then improved. Wang Changsheng noted the required materials, believing he could collect them by visiting a few more realms.

These formations were considered "chicken rib"—useful but not truly essential—as the aura boost was merely superficial, and magical power remained unchanged. While certain secret talismans or spirit pills could also achieve this effect, the cultivation resources in the lower realms made it difficult to refine them. Nevertheless, Wang Changsheng still noted these methods. Fairy Ziyue's cultivation technique also possessed similar divine abilities to enhance one's aura. However, the specific method she practiced lacked major divine abilities, rendering it highly inconvenient for combat. Wang Changsheng did not possess such cultivation techniques himself, only a few formations, one secret talisman, and one spirit pill capable of temporarily boosting a Soul Transformation cultivator's aura. While these methods were merely a facade in the Xuanyang Realm, they offered a glimmer of hope to Soul Transformation cultivators in the lower realms.

Through soul-searching the Blood Moon Old Demon's nascent soul, he discovered their true motive: to obtain the Heaven-Breaking Spirit Blade, which was why they sought to destroy the Wang family. If they could ascend to the Xuanyang Realm, destroying the Wang family would become unnecessary.

"Is that true?" Chen Yiming exclaimed excitedly, still confident he could cultivate to the mid-stage Soul Transformation.

"Of course it's true, but it requires the aid of formations, secret talismans, or pills. These are the materials I need to collect; you are to return to the Eastern Wasteland and gather them." Wang Changsheng took out a golden jade slip and handed it to Chen Yiming.

"Yes, Senior Wang." Chen Yiming readily agreed, his expression filled with excitement.

After giving a few instructions, Wang Changsheng dismissed him.

Wang Changsheng then successively summoned Zhou Yurou and Hai Yunfan, also giving each of them a jade slip with instructions to gather materials.

Several months later, astonishing news quickly spread throughout the Dongli Realm: the Wang family was collecting materials to forge auxiliary treasures for ascension. Those who provided the most rare materials would receive priority for ascension, provided they had cultivated to the mid-stage Soul Transformation. Some believed the news, while others remained skeptical. However, Gongsun Yang of Ten Thousand Beast Island was the first to publicly declare his support. Subsequently, the leaders of the Great Yan Dynasty, the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and the Three Flames Palace successively voiced their endorsement, dispelling many doubts. Representatives from numerous major forces then rushed to Qinglian Island with their treasures, fearing they would miss the opportunity if they delayed.